1 dead, 19 injured as car hits crowd after a 'Unite the Right' rally in Charlottesville; driver in custody

Graphic video: A bystander captures the moment a car slams into a crowd at a white nationalist protest in Charlottesville, Virginia.
USA TODAY

A car plows into pedestrians and vehicles on the mall in Charlottesville after Saturday's white supremacist rally. The driver hit the knot of cars and people at high speed, then backed up and fled the scene. (Photo: Jeremiah Knupp, Special to The News Leader via USA TODAY Network)

CHARLOTTESVILLE — A 32-year-old woman died and at least 19 people were injured Saturday when a car crashed into a crowd of peaceful protesters leaving a "Unite the Right" rally that officials had declared an "unlawful assembly." State officials said the driver was in custody.

The planned rally had already been shut down following bottle-throwing clashes between alt-right demonstrators, counter-protesters, white nationalists, neo-Nazis and supporters of Black Lives Matter.

Al Thomas, Charlottesville police chief, said 35 people were injured in clashes between opposing groups and in the car crash. Their injuries ranged from life-threatening to minor, he said. The driver of the car will be charged with criminal homicide, Thomas said. Albermarle County Regional Jail officials identified the suspect as 20-year-old James Alex Fields of Ohio.

Police officials said Fields would be charged with one count of second degree murder, three counts of malicious wounding and one count of hit and run. In addition, the FBI announced Saturday night it would open a civil rights investigation into the circumstances of the death.

“Our hearts break for the casualties and injuries,” Charlottesville Mayor Mike Signer said at a press conference.

About three hours after the car crash, a Virginia State Police Bell 407 helicopter crashed about 7 miles from the scene. Police reports said the helicopter crashed in a wooded area and the two pilots died. No one on the ground was injured. The helicopter had been assisting in police supervision of the protests.

Virginia State Police identified the two as Lt. Jay Cullen, 48, of Midlothian, Va. and Trooper-Pilot Berke Bates, 40, of Quinton, Va. Cullen was a 23-year veteran of the force and is survived by his wife and two sons. Bates was a three-year veteran of the force and joined the aviation unit last month.

A photo of Heather Heyer, who was killed during a white nationalist rally, sits on the ground at a memorial the day her life was celebrated at the Paramount Theater on Aug. 16, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va.
Evan Vucci, AP

Marcus Martin, right, hugs Marissa Blair, left, during a memorial for Heather Heyer on Aug. 16, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va. Martin pushed Blair out of the way of the vehicle that killed Heyer.
Pool photo by Andrew Shurtleff

Clergy observe a moment of silence during the memorial service for Heather Heyer outside the Paramount Theater Aug. 16, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va. The memorial service was held four days after Heyer was killed when a participant in a white nationalist, neo-Nazi rally allegedly drove his car into the crowd of people demonstrating against the 'alt-right' gathering.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Jason Charter of Washington, left, stands at the site where Heather Heyer was killed during a white nationalist rally on Aug. 16, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va. Charter was at the scene when a car rammed into a crowd of people protesting the rally.
Evan Vucci, AP

A chalk message calling for a park to be renamed after Heather Heyer is written in the street where she was killed and 19 others injured when a car slamed into a crowd of people protesting against a white supremacist rally, Aug. 16, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Mason Pickett, a Charlottesville resident, tries to toss a wire over the chalk wall to hang up a wreath. Following protests that turned violent on Aug. 12, 2017, and a day of memorial and mourning on 13th, Charlottesville, Va, continues to recover.
Henry Taylor, USA TODAY

Tannis Fuller embraces her son while her husband and other son stands nearby. Fuller moved to Charlottesville in 2003 and started a family from scratch, both her sons were born in the town and she was just blocks away at the time when Heather Heyer was killed.
Henry Taylor, USA TODAY

The memorial on 4th Street is built up with more flowers while two spectators drop their bouquets into the formation. Following protests that turned violent on Saturday and a day of memorial and mourning on Sunday, the town of Charlottesville, Va., continues to recover from the social rift.
Henry Taylor, USA TODAY

People gather at an informal memorial at the site where 32-year-old Heather Heyer was killed when a car plowed into a crowd of people protesting against the white supremacist Unite the Right rally on Aug. 13, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va. Charlottesville is calm the day after violence errupted around the Unite the Right rally, a gathering of white nationalists, neo-Nazis, the Ku Klux Klan and members of the 'alt-right,' that left Heyer dead and injured 19 others.
Win McNamee, Getty Images

After threats of alt-right presence in the area, a crowd of hundreds of mourners and citizens showed up to a vigil on Aug. 13, 2017, at the crash site in Charlottesville, Va., where Heather Heyer was killed when a car barreled into a group of protesters.
Henry Taylor, USA TODAY

Brittney Cain-Conley, lead organizer for Congregate Charlottesville, with hat, gets a hug from a supporter after she addressed the crowd during a vigil on, Aug. 13, 2017, held at the site where a car plowed into a crowd of people protesting a white nationalist rally on Saturday in Charlottesville, Va.
Steve Helber, AP

Hundreds of people gather for a vigil on the spot where 32-year-old Heather Heyer was killed when a car plowed into a crowd of people protesting against the white supremacist Unite the Right rally Aug. 13, 2017, in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Flowers and notes are left in memory of Heather Heyer, who died after she was struck when a car plowed into a crowd protesting the 'Unite the Right' rally.
Mykal McEldowney, Indy Star-USA TODAY NETWORK

David Brear, gray shirt, Kerry Rock, facing camera, and Colleen Todd, red shirt, embrace after visiting the memorial for the three who passed away the day before during the protests.
Henry Taylor, USA TODAY Sports

A protester throws a punch at Jason Kessler after grabbing at his shoulder during a press conference. Kessler, an alt-right blogger, held a press conference in front of Charlottesville City Hall the day after the protests, where a crowd of counter protesters arrived to shout over him while he spoke into the microphone on Aug. 13, 2017.
Henry Taylor, USA TODAY

Virginia police are stationed in locations all around the podium as Jason Kessler, an alt-right blogger, holds a press conference in front of Charlottesville City Hall the day after the protests, where a crowd of counter protesters arrived to shout over him while he spoke on Aug. 13, 2017.
Henry Taylor, USA TODAY Sports

"I just don't want to see people get hurt anymore," said Charlottesville resident Mai Shurtleff, left. "I have a little girl I just can't imagine." As Shurtleff sat weeping on the sidewalk near the site where a car plowed into a group of counter protesters killing one, Damonia Lee approached. "We are fighting for equality. I was here. I hugged her. She was so sweet," Lee said, about the young female who lost her life. "We're going to take our city back. This is a city of love."
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

A counter protester warns police that if actions, hate aren't stopped he will 'do something' on his own. He and others voiced their opinions over a loud speaker after the press conference by 'Unite the Right' organizer Jason Kessler in Charlottesville, Va., on Aug. 13, 2017.
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

Crowd members play loud instruments and yell as to drown out the voice of 'Unite the Right' rally organizer and white nationalist Jason Kessler as he speaks to a large crowd gathered at Charlottesville City Hall on Aug. 13, 2017.
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

Nicole Curry, a life-long resident of Charlottesville, watches from inside the Charlottesville Downtown Visitors Center as people start to file onto the grounds in front of City Hall to watch a press conference by 'Unite the Right' organizer and white nationalist Jason Kessler on Aug. 13, 2017.
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

'Unite the Right' rally organizer and white nationalist Jason Kessler speaks to a large crowd gathered at Charlottesville City Hall. Crowd members played loud instruments and yelled as to drown out his voice on Aug. 13, 2017.
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

Following the violence during the Alt-right rally and counter protests, where one person was killed and nineteen injured after being hit by a car, the city of Charlottesville reacts.
Henry Taylor, USA TODAY

Jewel King presents flowers to a small memorial following the violence at the Alt-right rally and counter protests where one person was killed and nineteen injured after being hit by a car.
Henry Taylor, USA TODAY

David Heins spreads flowers in the shape of a heart on Sunday in Charlottesville, Va., a day after one person died in violent protests when white supremacists clashed with counter protesters.
Henry Taylor, USA TODAY

Charlottesville resident Mai Shurtleff, right, sits weeping on the sidewalk near the site where a car plowed into a group of counter protesters killing one. "This wasn't something I expected to happen in our town," she said as Charlottesville resident Bob Kiefer consoled her on Aug. 13, 2017. "This does not define Charlottesville at all. We are a strong, loving community. I don't even know this gentleman but as strangers we are friends. This is what makes us stronger together."
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

TC Whysall, manager at Red Pump Kitchen in Charlottesville, lays white roses on the site where a car plowed into a group of counter protesters killing one.
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

People fly into the air as a vehicle drives into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va. on Aug. 12, 2017. The nationalists were holding the rally to protest plans by the city of Charlottesville to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. There were several hundred protesters marching in a long line when the car drove into a group of them.
Ryan M. Kelly, The Daily Progress via AP

Virginia State Police inspect the site where a vehicle hit protesters in Charlottesville, Va. on Aug. 12, 2017. According to media reports at least one person was killed and 19 injured after a car hit a crowd of people counter-protesting the 'Unite the Right' rally.
Tasos Katopodis, European Pressphoto Agency

Police and members of the National Guard patrol near the location where a car plowed into a crowd of people marching through a downtown shopping district on Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

AUGUST 12: Krystin Rines, center, rests her head on her husband Tyler Rines' shoulder during a vigil for those who were injured and died when a car plowed into a crowd of anti-fascist counter-demonstrators marching near a downtown shopping area Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Win McNamee, Getty Images

People place flowers at a makeshift memorial during a vigil for those who were injured and died when a car plowed into a crowd of anti-facist counter-demonstrators marching near a downtown shopping area Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Win McNamee, Getty Images

People gather for a vigil after a car plowed through a crowd of demonstrators, killing one person and injuring 18 others, during violence at the white nationalist 'United the Right' rally Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va. Gov. Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency after white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" violently clashed with anti-facist and Black Lives Matter counter-demonstrators at Emancipation Park.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

A car plows into pedestrians and vehicles on the mall in Charlottesville after Saturday's white supremacist rally. The driver hit the knot of cars and people at high speed, then backed up and fled the scene.
Jeremiah Knupp, Special to The News Leader via USA TODAY Network

Rescue personnel help injured people after a car ran into a large group of protesters after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va. on Aug. 12, 2017. The nationalists were holding the rally to protest plans by the city of Charlottesville to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. There were several hundred protesters marching in a long line when the car drove into a group of them.
Steve Helber, AP

A member of a white nationalist group recovers after being hit by a counter protester on the grounds of Emancipation Park, formerly known as Lee Park, during a 'Unite the Right' rally.
Mykal McEldowney, IndyStar via USA TODAY NETWORK

A member of a white nationalist group recovers after being hit by pepper spray by a counter protester on the grounds of Emancipation Park, formerly known as Lee Park, during a 'Unite the Right' rally.
Mykal McEldowney, IndyStar via USA TODAY NETWORK

White nationalists swing their flag sticks and use makeshift shields to push their way through counter protesters at Emancipation Park during the 'Unite the Right' rallyon Aug.12, 2017.
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

A white nationalist prepares to swing his flag stick and use makeshift shields to help push his crew's way through counter protesters at Emancipation Park during the 'Unite the Right' rally on Aug.12, 2017.
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

A Charlottesville police officer breaks up a fight on the street in front of Emancipation Park, formerly known as Lee Park, during the 'Unite the Right' rally on Aug.12, 2017.
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

A counter protester, left, feuds with a white nationalist on the street in front of Emancipation Park, formerly known as Lee Park, during the 'Unite the Right' rally on Aug.12, 2017.
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

A white nationalist guards the entrance to Emancipation Park, formerly known as Lee Park, during the 'Unite the Right' rally on Aug.12, 2017. The man wore a red wings pin on the collar of his shirt. According to the Detroit Free Press, "The Detroit Red Wings are exploring possible legal action after a slightly modified team logo appeared on signs held by protesters at a violent and deadly white nationalist rally in Virginia on Saturday. "
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

A Charlottesville Police officer breaks up a fight on the street in front of Emancipation Park, formerly known as Lee Park, during the 'Unite the Right' rally in Charlottesville, Va. on Aug. 12, 2017.
Mykal McEldowney, IndyStar via USA TODAY NETWORK

Colleen Cook, 26, holds a sign as hundreds of people are facing off in Charlottesville, Va., ahead of a white nationalist rally planned in the Virginia city's downtown on Aug. 12, 2017. Cook, a teacher who attended UVA, said she sent her black son out of town for the weekend. "This isn't how he should have to grow up," she said.
Sarah Rankin, AP

White nationalist Richard Spencer, center, and his supporters clash with Virginia State Police in Lee Park after the "United the Right" rally was declared an unlawful gathering Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" clashed with anti-facist protesters and police as they attempted to hold a rally in Lee Park, where a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee is slated to be removed.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" are confronted by protesters as they march down East Market Street toward Lee Park during the "United the Right" rally Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" march down East Market Street toward Lee Park during the "United the Right" rally Aug.12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va. A
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" march down East Market Street toward Lee Park during the "United the Right" rally Aug.12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" clash with counter-protesters as they enter Lee Park during the "Unite the Right" rally Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" exchange vollys of pepper spray with counter-protesters as they enter Lee Park during the "Unite the Right" rally Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" exchange insults with counter-protesters as they enter Lee Park during the "Unite the Right" rally Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" exchange insults with counter-protesters as they enter Lee Park during the "Unite the Right" rally Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" clash with counter-protesters as they enter Lee Park during the "Unite the Right" rally Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" clash with counter-protesters as they enter Lee Park during the "Unite the Right" rally Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

A man makes a slashing motion across his throat twoard counter-protesters as he marches with other white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" during the "Unite the Right" rally Aug 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Counter-protesters line the route taken by white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" during the "Unite the Right" rally Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Counter-protesters line the route taken by white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" during the "Unite the Right" rally Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Counter-protesters line the route taken by white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" during the "Unite the Right" rally Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Multiple white nationalist groups march with torches through the University of Virginia campus in Charlottesville on Aug. 11, 2017. When met by counter protesters, some yelling "Black lives matter," tempers turned into violence. Multiple punches were thrown, pepper spray was sprayed and torches were used as weapons.
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

Campus and state police yell to disperse as white nationalists and counter protesters feud on the UVA campus in Charlottesville on August 11, 2017.
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

President Trump, on vacation at his golf club in New Jersey, condemned “in the strongest possible terms” what he called an “egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides” in Charlottesville. He called for “a swift restoration of law and order and the protection of innocent lives.”

Trump said he spoke with Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and “we agreed that the hate and the division must stop and must stop right now.”

McAuliffe delivered a message to the white supremacists at an evening press conference: "Go home, you are not wanted in this great commonwealth, shame on you."

The governor declared a state of emergency shortly before 11 a.m. as the earlier protests and counter-protests turned unruly. He said he was “disgusted by the hatred, bigotry and violence” and blamed “mostly out-of-state protesters.”

The violence played out against a backdrop of unofficial, armed militia groups ringing the park, where the rally was called to protest the planned removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.

Some 500 protesters among the white nationalist and alt-right groups left the park shortly after state police, using megaphones, declared the gathering an "unlawful assembly" at 11:40 a.m., about 20 minutes before the rally was scheduled to begin.

Clusters of alt-right activists and counter-protesters remained, however, raising fears of more clashes. Police then put on gas masks as they stepped up efforts to disperse the crowds, which then left the park.

McAuliffe declared the state of emergency to give local authorities more resources to quell the disturbance. Officials had already deployed police to maintain order and McAuliffe had placed the Virginia National Guard on standby.

The clashes, mainly between white nationalists and anti-fascist groups, broke out as crowds moved toward the park where the Lee statue is located. At one point, dozens of people used wooden poles from their flags and banners as weapons. Others threw trash and bottles into the opposing ranks of protesters as the crowds swelled.

Numerous protesters came prepared, wearing helmets and flak jackets and charging into crowds holding plastic riot shields. Protesters on one side of a square held up anti-fascist signs and Black Lives Matter banners, while groups on the other displayed Confederate flags and iron cross banners.

Laurel Cummings, who works at the Oakhurst Inn in Charlottesville, said people have been canceling their rooms this weekend due to concerns about safety. She has also been warning guests about avoiding the downtown area.

“I came in to work today praying that no one was going to check in with a Swastika on their arm,” she said. “I knew I would refuse to check them in. If that gets me fired, I’m OK with that.”

From his vacation home in New Jersey, Trump tweeted: "We ALL must be united & condemn all that hate stands for. There is no place for this kind of violence in America. Lets come together as one!"

As dusk fell Saturday, Charlottesville residents described a city buried in chaos.

"There were fist fights breaking out,” said Brad Slocum, a 2012 University of Virginia graduate who attended Saturday's rally at Emancipation Park. His friends were attacked with flag poles, he said, and he left with some bruises after an attempt to de-escalate a skirmish between a protester and counter protester.

Slocum said the scene was frightening, but showing up was “the right thing to do.”

“I believe in taking direct action to stand up for what I believe is right,” Slocum said. “I consider bigotry and racial discrimination to be completely unacceptable.”

Saturday's violence followed a spontaneous march the previous night by torch-wielding protesters on the University of Virginia campus that was broken up by police as an unlawful assembly after scuffles broke out and pepper spray filled the air.

That came after a federal court injunction rejected the city's earlier attempt to move the "Unite the Right" rally to another park.

On the eve of the rally, McAuliffe, a Democrat, said he would prefer that no one shows up at the "Unite the Right" rally.

"I want to urge my fellow Virginians who may consider joining either in support or opposition to the planned rally to make alternative plans," he said.

Police chief Thomas said the unfolding events created a "lot of anxiety" in the community, but he felt it had sufficient resources to meet the "significant challenge."

City authorities were particularly alarmed by Friday night's march by hundreds of white nationalists who gathered at the feet of a statue of Thomas Jefferson on the UVa. campus, chanting "You will not replace us."

UVa. President Teresa Sullivan said she was "deeply saddened and disturbed by the hateful behavior" displayed by the marchers.

In the past few months, white nationalist groups have paid particular attention to Charlottesville, a progressive college town where over 80% of residents voted for Hillary Clinton.

The Charlottesville City Council voted in May to sell the Lee statue, but a judge issued a temporary injunction that blocked the city from moving the statue for six months, The Daily Progress reported.

After the vote to remove the statue, several dozen demonstrators, led by prominent white supremacist Richard Spencer, gathered at night by the Lee statue, wielding torches.

In July, Ku Klux Klan members held a rally in Charlottesville in Justice Park, where they were met with more than a thousand upset counter-protesters.

White nationalist groups continue to return to Charlottesville partly because they saw the May torch light gathering as a great success, noted Heidi Beirich, director of the Intelligence Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center.

“They loved the imagery of that. They were over the moon about that,” she said. “They viewed it as having been a wonderful recruiting tool."